I’d noticed that the Fair Trade Coffee Shop had recently closed down and been replaced by Bielak and Crolla, a Polish Italian cafe. Given it’s on my regular route to and from the city I had been meaning to pop in for a visit and managed to do so during a recent lunchtime break.

Exterior

With a bespoke coffee blend from Thomson’s and a sandwich menu that instantly rang a bell, I suspected there was a link between this place and The Six, in Comely Bank. So it proved; they are in the same ownership. I was apparently the first customer to make the association. I’m eagle-eyed like that.

Spread across two shopfronts, the place has had a refit which has given it a brighter and more polished feel.

Soup

I took a seat in their main sit-in space and once I’d said hello to one of the chef’s from The Fat Pony who had stopped in for a quick coffee I went to the counter to order.

Their soup of the day was tomato and basil. It proved a rustic and warming rendition of a flavour combo that doesn’t always wow me in soupy form. I enjoyed it muchly.

I added a meatball sandwich. Again this was delivered to a very good standard. The meatballs were really satisfying and packed good meaty notes.

Meatball sandwich

I rounded out with an espresso. As with The Six this is a fairly dark Italian roast and not particularly to my tastes, but I’m glad to see that they’re custom roasting something that suits them with a local roaster.

So overall, Bielak and Crolla is a bit of an upgrade on the cafe that was there before which was very friendly but didn’t offer outstanding quality. This place is well thought-out and highly enjoyable. I’d recommend you give it a look.

Scores
Blythe scores Bielak and Crolla
4/5 for food
3.5/5 for presentation
4/5 for setting
4/5 for service
giving an overall 15.5/20